Markel Vaults to Second Team All-America Status at National Meet

Wednesday, June 5

Austin, Texas

Tulane University

NCAA Outdoor Championships

Markel Vaults to Second Team All-America Status at National Meet

Jun 7, 2019 | Track & Field

Meet Results

AUSTIN, Texas – Rebekah Markel's record-breaking senior year had one more highlight left in it, as the senior earned Second Team All-America status at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium on Thursday night.

The pole vaulter cleared 4.20 meters (13-9.25) on her first attempt, giving her a 14th-place finish in the field. Markel needed two tries to get over 4.05 meters to begin the night, but she looked smooth getting over 4.20 meters on a single attempt. She was one of just 10 jumpers to get over 4.20 meters on one try.

"She really battled through the early height, and after that all of her jumps started getting better," said Doug Fraley, Tulane's Associate Head Coach. "She was in the mix, had a chance to make the podium and the bottom line is I'm really proud of her getting here and competing as well as she did. She competed great and represented our university great."

After that height, the bar went up to 4.35 meters. Markel had three attempts at that height and fell just shy each time, barely clipping the bar and sending it to the ground. Only eight athletes in the field got over the bar at 4.35 meters.

Markel becomes the program's first Second Team All-American on the women's side since Jessica Duckett earned the honors in the 400 hurdles last season. Tulane's most recent All-American in the pole vault was Alyssa Applebee, who placed seventh at the national championships in 2017.

"Rebekah today vaulted very well," said Eric Peterson, Tulane's Director of Cross Country and Track & Field. "One significant accomplishment and measure of growth and development is when you can get to the national meet and perform at a level that has been your season's best. Second Team All-American is a great accomplishment and a highlight for her."

Markel had a tremendous senior season and leaves Tulane as one of if not the greatest pole vaulter in program history. During the season, she broke the Green Wave's indoor and outdoor school records. Her indoor school record of 4.33 meters broke a five-year-old mark set by Merritt Van Meter in 2014, and her outdoor record of 4.31 meters beat out Applebee's mark set in 2017.

She won the American Athletic Conference Championship both indoors and outdoors and reached the national championship meet in both venues. She holds the conference indoor championship meet record with a clearance of 4.23 meters, and she cruised to a first-place finish at the NCAA East Regional in Jacksonville, Florida, two weeks ago to earn her trip to Austin.

"She's an athlete I'm really going to miss," Fraley said. "She's gone from a freshman who really had the talent but needed refinement, and through her discipline and hard work over four years got to the point where she was today. That's a testament to her work ethic, her determination and her courage. Not only has she done that for herself, but in doing so she has elevated our program at Tulane."

Markel was one of two Tulane athletes who reached the national championship meet. Fellow senior Emmanuel Rotich competed in the 3K steeplechase Wednesday and wrapped up his phenomenal Green Wave career as well.

"I'm so proud of the senior leadership that Rebekah and Emmanuel have provided our teams and the excellence they have demonstrated throughout this entire season," Peterson said. "It resulted in both of them being able to qualify and compete in the most important meet of the year and do so honorably."